INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A data recording/playback configuration whereby data compatible with a standard such as the BD standard, AVCHD standard, or the like, and data incompatible with a standard are usable is realized. In the event that recorded data is data compatible with a standard such as the BD standard, AVCHD standard, or the like at the time of data recording processing as to a medium, the management information of the data is recorded in a first management information file only for data compatible with a standard, and in the event that the recorded data is data incompatible with a standard, the management information of the data is recorded in a second management information file. Also, management information updating processing for recording all of management information recorded in the first management information file in the second management information file is performed. An existing device which executes only processing as to data compatible with a standard performs processing by applying first management information, and a new-type device which can perform processing as to data incompatible with a standard can play all of data by processing to which second management information has been applied.

2012-01-26

20120020647

FILTERING REPEATED CONTENT - A fingerprint generator generates at least one fingerprint based on a portion of an input content stream and communicates the at least one fingerprint to a content recognizer. A content stream selector receives a media content identifier from the content recognizer corresponding to the at least one fingerprint and performs filtering on a portion of the input content stream containing a clip, the clip corresponding to the media content identifier.

2012-01-26

20120020648

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - The image processing device includes an image data input unit for receiving data of moving images and still images; an image grouping unit for classifying the moving images and the still images into groups; an image analyzer for analyzing the moving images and the still images classified by group, and obtaining analysis information of the images, and information on relationship between the moving images and the still images; a frame image extractor for extracting frame images from the moving images according to at least one of the analysis information and the relationship information; a layout determining unit for determining a layout of the still images and the frame images according to at least one of the analysis information and the relationship information; and an image arranging unit for arranging the still images and the frame images according to the layout.

2012-01-26

20120020649

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CONVEY VISUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS ON A VIDEO SCREEN - A process for adapting an exercise video for utilization as a non-audible exercise video comprising selecting an exercise video, and incorporating visual instructions into said exercise video, whereby the visual instructions are selected to comprise a coherent series of non-audio instructions. Also taught are a video recording of the invention, a process for programming a coordinated video transmission and presentation, and a portable device for providing vibration corresponding to an event in the exercise video.

2012-01-26

20120020650

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING DUPLICATIVE MEDIA CONTENT RECORDINGS - Exemplary systems and methods for preventing duplicative media content recordings are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content access subsystem detecting that a media content instance is scheduled to be recorded, determining, based on an operations log of one or more past operations of the media access subsystem, that the scheduled recording of the media content instance is duplicative of a past recording, and selectively canceling the scheduled recording of the media content instance in response to the determination that the scheduled recording is duplicative of the past recording. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

2012-01-26

20120020651

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECORDING CONTENT - Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for switching streams in response to detecting a start trigger are presented. A program's start trigger indicating that the program is upcoming may be detected on a first stream, and in response to detecting the start trigger on the first stream, a second stream containing the program may be switched to. The program may be a video program. Segment triggers may be detected and may be used to selectively record and/or delete segments of the program according to a priority scheme. Multiple start triggers may be detected at decreasing time intervals. The existence of a recording conflict may be determined based on a program's start trigger and a user may be alerted of the recording conflict.

2012-01-26

20120020652

VIDEO RECORDER - To provide a video recorder that can receive a plurality of broadcast signals having different channels to perform video recording.

2012-01-26

20120020653

IMAGE BLUR CORRECTING MECHANISM AND IMAGING DEVICE - An image blur correcting mechanism is provided that includes an imaging element, a movable frame, a fixed frame, and first and second actuators. The imaging element has a light receiving face with first and second edges that intersects. The movable frame holds the imaging element. The fixed frame movably supports the movable frame along first and second directions that intersects. The first and second directions are parallel to the light receiving face. The first actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the first direction, and the second actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the second direction. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of the imaging element, and disposed relative to a first perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the first edge and coincident with the second edge. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of a second perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the second edge.

2012-01-26

20120020654

Image-Capturing Optical Device - A photographic optical device may include a movable module having a camera module on which a lens and an imaging element are mounted, a support body, and a shake correction mechanism. The movable module may be provided with a sensor for detecting an inclination of the camera module and a cover member which structures an outer peripheral face of the movable module. The shake correction mechanism may be provided with a swing drive mechanism for swinging the movable module so that the optical axis is inclined. The swing drive mechanism may be provided with a drive magnet and a drive coil.

2012-01-26

20120020655

LENS MODULE AND TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATING METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a lens module and its temperature-compensating method. The lens module primarily includes several lenses and a compensating lens. The several lenses comprise two plastic lenses and the ratio of the focal length of one plastic lens to the other is predetermined. The temperature-compensating method employs the compensating lens to shift alone an optical axis for compensation of the focal length departure. In one embodiment, the ratio of the two focal lengths is more than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 2.

2012-01-26

20120020656

PORTABLE CAMERA SUPPORT APPARATUS - The present invention is a portable camera support apparatus designed to enable a user to record videos or capture still images while simultaneously performing action sports, aquatic activities, or various other extreme activities. More particularly, such portable camera support apparatus comprises a tubular member to hold a portable camera, grips on the tubular member for the user to comfortably hold and control the portable camera support apparatus with one or both hands at either end, a pivot coupler for attaching the portable camera to the tubular member, and an optional opening to enhance movement under water for aquatic activities. A portable camera support apparatus may also comprise a control switch, a pivot control, and a pivoting axis enabling a user to serve as the director of the videos or images captured by turning the camera on or off, adjusting the angle the camera is facing, taking snap shot images or controlling various other features of the camera. A portable camera support apparatus may also comprise a camera housing unit to protect the camera during performance of action sports. A portable camera support apparatus may also comprise detachable connection rings to assist in the recovery of the portable camera support apparatus during performance of actions sports.

2012-01-26

20120020657

SHUTTER APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, AND SHUTTER CONTROL METHOD - A shutter apparatus mounted in an image sensing apparatus, the shutter apparatus comprising: a blade member configured to open/close an opening through which light from an object passes, and control an aperture area of the opening; and a driving unit capable of first and second driving controls, the first driving control driving the blade member to serve as a stop, and the second driving control driving the blade member to serve as a shutter, wherein when the object is captured by an image sensor, the driving unit temporarily drives the blade member in an opening direction from a first position, to which the blade member is driven in a closing direction to serve as a stop, and then activates the blade member to a fully closing position.

2012-01-26

20120020658

Optical device - An optical device includes a light source, a controller that supplies control information to the light source and controls an output level of the light source, a monitor that outputs an operation state of the optical output as a monitor output, and an auxiliary controller that records the monitor output and the control information. When the controller stops supplying the control information, the auxiliary controller outputs the control information to the light source in accordance with the relation between the recorded monitor output and the recorded control information.

METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SKEW BETWEEN PARALLEL SIGNALS - A method is provided for detecting the skew between parallel light signals generated from a serial data stream. The method can be used with polarization multiplexed signal, as well as with wavelength division multiplexed signals, spatial division multiplexed signals, phase modulated signals, or intensity modulated signals. The method can be used with direct detection schemes as well as with coherent detection schemes. The method is provided with: imprinting dips between a fixed number of transmitted symbols of the parallel signals; detecting an electrical signal related to the dips for each parallel signal; and comparing the electrical signals in delay.

2012-01-26

20120020661

Optical communication device and dispersion compensation method - An optical communication device comprises a variable dispersion compensator, a photoelectric converter, and a processor. The variable dispersion compensator compensates an amount of wavelength dispersion of an optical signal received from an optical transmission line. The photoelectric converter converts the compensated optical signal into an electrical signal. The processor is operative to extract a frequency of the converted electrical signal, and to discriminate bit information of the electrical signal based on the frequency extracted using a decision phase and a decision threshold. The processor is operative to detect bit error information that is information related to an error of the discriminated bit information, and to control the amount of wavelength dispersion based on the detected bit error information.

2012-01-26

20120020662

OPTICAL POWER MEASUREMENT METHOD, OPTICAL LINE TERMINAL AND OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT - The embodiments of the present invention relate to communications technology, and disclose an optical power measurement method, an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), and an Optical Network Unit (ONU). The method includes: generating a Physical Layer Operation Administration Maintenance (PLOAM) message that includes an identifier of at least one ONU to be measured and information about a time bucket that is allocated to the ONU to be measured and is used for sending upstream optical signals; sending the PLOAM message to the multiple ONUs; receiving the upstream optical signals that are sent, in the allocated time bucket, by the ONU to be measured; and detecting the received upstream optical signals, and determining the optical power of the upstream optical signals. The present invention avoid waste of bandwidth caused in the prior art when the DBA is required to allocate bandwidth to the ONU to be measured for the purpose of detecting the optical power.

2012-01-26

20120020663

BUS-BASED SCALABLE OPTICAL FABRICS - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to arrangements of multiple optical buses to create scalable optical interconnect fabrics for computer systems. In one aspect, a multi-bus fabric (

Optical signal processor - A probe light source produces probe light having a second wavelength different from a first wavelength of signal light. To a light modulator, the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source are supplied. The light modulator multiplexes the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source, and supplies it to a nonlinear optical medium. Further, the light modulator modulates the probe light by an intensity change of the signal light in the nonlinear optical medium, and outputs modulated light having the second wavelength based on the data of the signal light.

2012-01-26

20120020666

Wavelength Assignment for Multiple Operator Support - An apparatus comprising a plurality of optical line terminals (OLTs) corresponding to different providers that share an optical distribution network (ODN), a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) coupled to the OLTs via the same ODN and configured to communicate with the different OLTs using different corresponding pairs of upstream and downstream channels, wherein the upstream and downstream channels are interleaved across a plurality of wavelength bands and comprise a sequence of alternating and contiguous upstream and downstream channels, are aligned with a plurality of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) channels, and satisfy a plurality of design requirements for the OLTs and ONUs.

2012-01-26

20120020667

DATA STREAM UPGRADE APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method to transmit and receive significantly larger serial data stream to achieve conformance to the signal interface constraints of a pre-installed transmission system thus minimising bit error rate for both the large serial data streams and the pre-installed streams the method includes the steps of de-serialising an initial incoming signal into M data streams, wherein M>2, each M data stream having a data rate of D/M Gbps, partially serialising and encoding M data streams into K symbol groups where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1, each K symbol group characterized by N concurrent data bits of the N data streams, wherein each N data stream has a data rate of D/(N·K), processing each of the K symbol groups to provide one modulated output signal the K modulated output signals then being transmitted via K channels of an existing wavelength division multiplexing system, so as to enable transmission of significantly large data streams over pre-installed transmission networks.

2012-01-26

20120020668

Method And An Interconnecting Node For Use In An Access Network - The invention relates to an interconnecting node for use in interconnecting a passive optical network (PON) and a copper wire xDSL access network, wherein said interconnecting node comprises an optical network unit (ONU) arranged to be connected to an optical line termination (OLT) over the PON network; and at least one xDSL access device connectable to at least one user end xDSL equipment over the copper wire xDSL access network. The interconnecting node is characterized in thatit further comprises a clocking interconnect between the ONU unit and the at least one xDSL access device arranged to distribute a clock signal obtained from optical network transmissions received in the ONU unit over the PON network to an timing reference input of the at least one xDSL access device. The invention also relates to a further interconnecting node, methods for use in interconnecting nodes, a central office optical network apparatus and an access network.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HIGH PRECISION GPS APPLICATIONS - A GPS system for obtaining data from a GPS signal received at a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station being connected to a common receiver station through an optical fiber link The system includes a light generating module at the receiver station generating an optical reference signal, and an antenna station module at each antenna station. The antenna station modules modulate the optical reference signal according to the GPS signal received, obtaining a twice modulated optical signal, and sending this signal to the receiver station. Finally, an output module is provided at the receiver station, this module being used for extracting the GPS signal and the oscillating reference signal, calibrating in real time the optical fiber links based on a phase comparison, and processing the GPS signal from the antenna stations, taking into account the real time calibration of the optical fiber links.

2012-01-26

20120020671

BI-DIRECTIONAL PARALLEL OPTICAL LINK - A system is disclosed. The system includes a first optical transceiver having a first set of transmitters and a first set of receivers and a second optical transceiver having a second set of transmitters coupled anti-symmetrically to the first set of receivers of the first optical transceiver and a second set of receivers coupled anti-symmetrically to the first set of transmitters of the first optical transceiver.

2012-01-26

20120020672

OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER HAVING AN OTDR MODE, AND A METHOD OF OBTAINING TEST DATA FOR TESTING AN OPTICAL FIBER - An optical transceiver has a communications mode and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) mode. The transceiver comprises a transmitter channel and a receiver channel operable, in the communications mode, to respectively transmit and receive communications signals through respective external optical fibers. The transceiver also comprises a guide arrangement for guiding, in the OTDR mode, a reflected OTDR signal along a path from the transmitter channel into the receiver channel. A method of obtaining test data for an optical fiber in an optical data communications subsystem is also disclosed.

2012-01-26

20120020673

OPTICAL BACKPLANE - The invention relates to an optical backplane, comprising a plurality of component connectors and at least two interconnections configurations interconnecting the component connectors. The at least two interconnections configurations allow a dynamical selection of an interconnections configuration interconnecting the component connectors.

2012-01-26

20120020674

STATUS LINK FOR MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A robust and redundant status link is established by a first multi-channel optoelectronic device with a second multi-channel optoelectronic device in a multi-channel communication link. Transmitter bias currents are effectively modulated with a status link modulation signal representative of status data and subsequently modulated with primary data modulation signals. The resulting signals are transformed into optical signals and transmitted over the link as main communication links combined with a status link. At the second device, the optical signals are received and converted to electrical signals. The receipt of the optical signals creates multiple receiver bias currents, which may be monitored to detect the status link modulation signal. The second device may adjust various operating parameters in response to the information conveyed by the status link. For instance, devices can use status links to operate above nominal eye safety limits and/or to adjust transmit power to compensate for degradation effects.

2012-01-26

20120020675

Method for Energy Efficient Pulsing Operation of Transceivers of a Networked Device - A method performed by a networked device for energy efficient operation of an optical transceiver of the networked device is described herein. It is determined whether a port control of the networked device is enabled to operate in an energy efficient state. Where the port control is enabled to operate in the energy efficient state and an absence of a valid receive energy from a link partner is determined, a laser transmitter of the optical transceiver is pulsed by asserting and de-asserting a control signal.

2012-01-26

20120020676

APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING OPTICAL SIGNAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING PHASE OFFSET FOR DIFFERENTIAL QUADRATURE PHASE SHIFT KEYING - An apparatus for receiving optical signals in DQPSK and method of controlling a phase offset in receiving optical signals for DQPSK is provided. An original optical signal modulated in DQPSK is received. The original optical signal is delayed by one bit to make a delay optical signal such that an interference on the original optical signal and the delay optical signal is performed. A control signal is generated by use of an interference result between the original optical signal and the delay optical signal. A phase offset for the interference between the original optical signal and the delay optical signal is controlled by use of the generated control signal. In receiving optical signals, the phase offset between the delay optical signal and the original optical signal is precisely controlled, thereby optimizing the transfer characteristics of an optical delay interferometer.

EMPTY BOTTLE DETECTION USING A ONE TIME FOIL SEAL - An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.

2012-01-26

20120020679

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion capable of mounting a plurality of first image forming units for forming images in different colors or a plurality of second image forming units for forming images in a single color. The first image forming units and the second image forming units are arranged to be exchangeable. The first image forming units retain toner in different colors, and the second image forming units retain toner in the single color. The image forming apparatus further includes a preference control unit for leaving at least one of the second image forming units unused and preferentially using rest of the second image forming units when the first image forming units are exchanged to the second image forming units in a monochrome printing operation.

2012-01-26

20120020680

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WHICH PERFORMS CALIBRATION FOR MAINTAINING IMAGE QUALITY - An image forming apparatus forms a pattern image on a first printing medium and creates a first image processing condition for adjusting a tone characteristic based on a first luminance value. When performing the calibration using a second printing medium different from the first printing medium, the apparatus corrects, based on a luminance value of a background region of the second printing medium, a second luminance value output in accordance with light reflected by the second printing medium, and creates the first image processing condition based on the corrected second luminance value.

2012-01-26

20120020681

Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A fixing device includes a separator presser that presses against a plurality of separators to separate the plurality of separators from a fixing rotary body that contacts an opposed rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A single driver is connected to the separator presser to separate the separator presser from the plurality of separators. An entering recording medium detector is disposed upstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of the recording medium to detect the recording medium. A controller is connected to the driver to control the driver based on a detection signal sent from the entering recording medium detector to change a contact time period for which the plurality of separators contacts the fixing rotary body.

2012-01-26

20120020682

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MANAGEMENT METHOD EMPLOYED BY IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a plurality of replaceable parts and a control section which manages an accumulated amount of work of each of the parts; wherein the control section comprises reference values for replacement of each of the parts and performs, a first mode which carries out a prescribed control in case where an accumulated amount of work of any one of parts of the plurality of parts reaches one of the reference values for replacement; and, a second mode which carries out the prescribed control in case where an accumulated amount of work of a specific part of the plurality of parts reaches one of the reference values for replacement.

2012-01-26

20120020683

DEVELOPER STORAGE DEVICE - A developer accommodating apparatus includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; developer detecting means, including a light receiving element for receiving light emitted by a light emitter, for detecting the developer in said developer accommodating portion; a cylindrical light guide member, provided projected from a side surface of said developer accommodating portion, for guiding the light emitted from said light emission element to said light receiving element; a rotatable member provided on a peripheral surface of said light guide member and rotatable about said light guide member; and driving means for rotating said rotatable member.

2012-01-26

20120020684

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND PROGRAM USING THE SAME - Provided are an image forming apparatus that, when a difference between a developing bias in correcting an image density and a reference developing bias has a value not less than a prescribed value that is set preliminarily, replenishes or consumes a toner forcibly, executes correction of the image density again, and controls the developing bias in such a manner that a toner density is controlled to fall within an appropriate range, and an image forming method using the same. When a difference between a developing bias value after correction of the image density and the reference developing bias becomes larger than the prescribed value to the plus side or the minus side, a toner density control portion performs control to consume or replenish a toner forcibly.

2012-01-26

20120020685

RECORDING MATERIAL DETERMINATION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A recording material determination device includes an ultrasonic wave transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a recording material based on a driving signal, an ultrasonic wave receiving unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave, a light exposure unit configured to expose the recording material to light, a light receiving unit configured to receive light, an amplification unit configured to amplify an ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit to a first output value, and after the amplification unit amplifies the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit to the first output value, a control unit performs control so as to obtain the second output value by the light exposure unit and the light receiving unit during a period of time after the amplification of the ultrasonic wave is stopped and before the next ultrasonic wave comes to be transmittable.

2012-01-26

20120020686

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a PTC and a toner concentration sensor that are disposed adjacent to and downstream of a fourth image forming unit. The PTC and the toner concentration sensor are opposed to an intermediate transfer belt. A counter roller is opposed to the PTC across the intermediate transfer belt. The counter roller moves to, during the toner concentration detection, a position opposed to the toner concentration sensor across the intermediate transfer belt. Compared to the PTC and the toner concentration sensor each having a counter roller, less rollers may be provided, thereby reducing degradation of the intermediate transfer belt due to wear.

2012-01-26

20120020687

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD THEREOF - Image forming apparatus includes: image forming sections for respective colors, image forming sections provided so as to face outer surface of intermediate transfer belt on outward path; transfer roller provided on returning path, transfer roller which is moved to contact position where transfer roller is pressed against intermediate transfer belt or to detachment position where transfer roller is detached from intermediate transfer belt; and density sensor detecting density of toner image on intermediate transfer belt, density sensor provided between transfer roller and endmost photoreceptor on downstream side of outward path. In image quality adjustment operation, image forming sections form toner image row on intermediate transfer belt which is row of toner images for image quality adjustment, and density sensor measures densities. Length of toner image row is smaller than length of intermediate transfer belt between endmost photoreceptor drum on downstream side and transfer roller.

2012-01-26

20120020688

DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A developing device includes an applying portion for applying a bias at a first voltage value and a first frequency, to a toner bearing member during a development period in which toner particles are supplied to an image bearing member. A controller executes a removal control to remove attached matter adhering to a bearing surface of the toner bearing member during a non-development period. Upon executing the removal control, the controller first causes residual toner particles to separate from the bearing surface. Subsequently, the controller controls the applying portion to cause a second bias at a second voltage value higher than the first voltage value or at a second frequency higher than the first frequency to be applied to the toner bearing member while bringing a developer layer on a developer bearing member into contact with the bearing surface.

2012-01-26

20120020689

PRINTING SYSTEM INCLUDING PRINTING APPARATUSES - A printing system having a first printing apparatus to form an image on one side of continuous recording medium roll, a second printing apparatus arranged downstream from the first printing apparatus to form an image on the other side of the recording medium, and a controller to control conveyance of the recording medium. The second printing apparatus has a control device that identifies the number of pages of the recording medium placed on a path between the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus and a storage device to store a value representing a contraction amount of the recording medium thermally contracted by excessive heating in a heat fixing device of the first printing apparatus according to a condition defining the contraction amount to align positions of images formed on both sides of the recording medium.

2012-01-26

20120020690

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a pressing member each of which includes a waveform elastic layer having at least one wave crest and at least one wave trough to form a waveform face between the fixing rotary body and the pressing member pressed against each other. A controller identifies a temperature differential between a first temperature of the wave crest of the fixing rotary body detected by a first temperature detector and a second temperature of the wave trough of the fixing rotary body detected by a second temperature detector and adjusts an amount of heat stored from a heater into the fixing rotary body based on the identified temperature differential.

2012-01-26

20120020691

Phase detecting device, phase control device including the phase detecting device, and fuser control device including the phase control device - An image forming apparatus includes a fuser that fuses a paper medium and a fuser control device that controls an AC power supplied to the fuser. The fuser control device includes a phase detecting device that receives an AC voltage, detects zero-crossing points of the AC voltage, outputs a phase detecting signal when the zero-crossing points are detected, and selectively cuts off a flow of AC power into the phase detecting device in response to a mode control signal, a signal generator that generates a phase control signal to control a phase of the AC power supplied to the fuser based on the phase detecting signal, and a temperature controller that controls a temperature of the fuser by controlling the phase of the AC power supplied to the fuser according to the phase control signal.

2012-01-26

20120020692

LONG LIFE CLEANING SYSTEM WITH REDUCED STRESS FOR START OF CLEANING BLADE OPERATION - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to manage the contact of a cleaning blade and a moving surface to increase the useful life of the blade. For example, a cleaning apparatus for a photoreceptor surface comprises a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, a cleaning blade that is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from the photoreceptor surface, and which cleans excess toner from the photoreceptor surface. The apparatus further comprises a sensor that senses the start and the end of an operational procedure, and an actuator that rotates the blade holder about the pivot point to selectively advance or retract the blade during the start-up procedure and the shut-down procedure. After the cleaning surface has begun to move or reached operating speed, blade contact is increased to bring the blade load up to operational level. By making this change to the conventional static cleaning blade, the peak stress at start-up and shut-down is much reduced and cleaning blade life and reliability are much improved.

2012-01-26

20120020693

CLEANING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device for cleaning a belt member, includes a cleaning blade; a removing member coming in contact with the surface of the belt member so as to remove foreign matter adhering on the surface of the belt member; and a contact pressure changing section to change a contact pressure between the removing member to the belt member, wherein, when the contact pressure between the removing member and a region of the belt member corresponding in position to a toner image to be not transferred to a paper sheet is made P

2012-01-26

20120020694

Image processing apparatus and image processing method - An image processing apparatus is capable of performing a plurality of toner-saving processes each reducing an amount of toner consumed to form an image. The apparatus includes a selecting unit that allows a user to select one toner saving process from the plurality of toner saving processes; a toner saving unit that performs the one toner saving process selected through the selecting unit; and a display unit that provides, when the one toner saving process is a predetermined toner saving process that yields a printed output whose print quality is not easily presumed by the user, a preview display representing the print quality of the printed output to be yielded by the one toner saving process.

2012-01-26

20120020695

FUSER SYSTEM AND HEAT SOURCE POWER CIRCUIT - A printing system fuser is presented with an AC-AC power circuit using a pair of high speed pulse width modulated switches and low speed switching devices for flyback current conduction for powering a fuser heating element, and power factor control system and techniques are presented for adapting AC-AC converter control for powering one fuser heating element at least partially according to angle control switching of another fuser heating element to control fuser power factor.

2012-01-26

20120020696

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing device main body; a heating member that is installed in the fixing device main body and heats a developer image transferred to a recording medium; and a power line that supplies power to the heating member, the fixing device main body including a first retaining part and a second retaining part formed following the first retaining part, and the heating member being retained by the first retaining part and the power line being retained by the second retaining part.

2012-01-26

20120020697

METHOD OF FIXING A HEAT CURABLE TONER TO A CARRIER - A method and an apparatus of fixing a heat curable toner to a carrier substrate are shown. In the method, a toner applied to a first surface of the carrier substrate is heated above the glass transition temperature of the toner by microwave radiation, using at least one microwave applicator as a first heat source, to thereby initiate thermal cross-linking of polymer chains of said toner. The temperature is kept above the glass transition temperature of the toner for a predetermined time of at least one second, by applying heat to the toner by means of at least one non-contact second heat source, to thereby allow the thermal cross-linking to proceed further and to thereby raise the glass transition temperature of the toner. The apparatus has at least one microwave applicator forming a first heat source, at least one second heat source for heating the toner and/or the carrier substrate, at least one transport mechanism for contacting the carrier substrate on a second side thereof and for transporting the carrier substrate in sequence along the first and second heat sources and at least one controller for controlling the first heat source, the second heat source and/or the transport mechanism such that toner on a first side of the carrier substrate is heated above its glass transition temperature and kept at a temperature above the glass transition temperature for at least one second.

2012-01-26

20120020698

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear a toner image, a waste toner storage mechanism to store residual toner, and an intermediate transfer unit detachable from the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer member onto which the toner image is transferred, a cleaning device to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the toner image is transferred to a recording medium, and a connecting mechanism to connect the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a movable connecting tube and a moving device to move the connecting tube between a first position at which the connecting tube engages the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism, and the second position at which the connecting tube separates the cleaning device from the waste toner storage mechanism.

2012-01-26

20120020699

Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes a photosensitive unit, a developer cartridge, and a developing device. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive body. The developer cartridge accommodates developer therein and has a supported portion supported by the photosensitive unit. The developing device is disposed between the photosensitive unit and the developer cartridge and is supported by the photosensitive unit and is pivotally movable about the supported portion. The developing device includes a developer carrying member carrying the developer thereon. The developer carrying member is movable, in accordance with the pivotal movement of the developing device, between a contact position at which the developer carrying member is in contact with the photosensitive body and a separate position at which the developer carrying member is separated from the photosensitive body.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; an opening and closing part that is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in an openable and closeable manner; and a fixing device that is removably installed in the image forming apparatus main body to fix a developer image onto a recording medium, the opening and closing part being provided with an engaging portion to engage with an engaged portion defined on the image forming apparatus main body, and the engaging portion including a pressing part that presses the fixing device toward a proper position when a part of the fixing device is positioned in a movement locus of the engaging portion during a closing movement of the opening and closing part.

2012-01-26

20120020702

CHARGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - Disclosed is a corona charging apparatus for electrically charging a surface of an image bearing member to which the corona charging apparatus faces and which is rotatably provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the corona charging apparatus including: a discharging electrode; a shield case that covers the discharging electrode, the shield case being opened at least in a region where the discharging electrode and the image bearing member face each other; and a sheet-like member being made from aluminum and being attached to a first surface of the shield case which first surface faces the discharging electrode.

2012-01-26

20120020703

DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A developer container includes: an outer case; an ejection opening that is rectangular and formed on the outer case and extends longitudinally along an axial direction of the outer case, and from which a developer is ejected by a weight of the developer. A toner ejection index that is calculated from S/μdM is equal to or more than 0.79, where μ is a degree of agglomeration of the developer, d is a compact density, M is a fill amount of the developer and S is the area of the ejection opening.

2012-01-26

20120020704

Toner Cartridge Having Linearly Movable Shutter Member and Image Forming Device Provided With the Same - An image forming device includes a movable holding member, a plurality of operation members and a plurality of developer cartridges detachably mountable on the holding member. The holding member has a plurality of photosensitive members and developing devices. Each operation members is disposed on the holding member in correspondence with each developing device. Each of the photosensitive member, the operation member and the developer cartridge extends in a first direction. Each developer cartridge is formed with an opening and has a shutter member linearly movable between an open position and a closed position in the first direction. The shutter member opens the opening at the open position to allow developer to flow and closes the opening at the closed position to prevent developer from flowing. Each operation member is linearly movable in the first direction to move the shutter member between the open position and the closed position.

2012-01-26

20120020705

LOAD DRIVER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, LOAD DRIVING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A load driver applies pulse voltages to a first capacitive load that includes a first electrode and a second electrode and a second capacitive load that includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The load driver further includes a capacitor, at least one coil, and a driver. The driver connects the second capacitive load, the capacitor, and the coil to release charge from the third electrode to the capacitor, connects, after completion of releasing the charge to the capacitor, the first capacitive load, the second capacitive load, and the coil to release charge from the first electrode to the fourth electrode, connects, after completion of releasing the charge to the fourth electrode, the first capacitive load, the capacitor, and the coil to release charge from the capacitor to the second electrode, whereby the pulse voltages of opposite phases is applied.

2012-01-26

20120020706

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium before a toner image is transferred on the recording medium, a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium applied with the fixing liquid, and a fixing device to fixe the toner image on the recording medium by heating. The fixing liquid applicator includes an application member disposed opposing a face of the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred to apply to the recording medium the fixing liquid borne on a surface of the application member, a supply unit to supply the fixing liquid to the application member, and a sealing device to form along with the application member a sealed space in which the supply unit and the fixing liquid to be supplied to the application member are sealed.

2012-01-26

20120020707

ACHROMATIC APPARATUS FOR ACHROMATIZING ACHROMATIC TONER IMAGE FORMED ON RECORDING MEDIUM - An achromatic apparatus achromatizing an achromatic toner image on paper by an achromatic toner containing a near-infrared ray absorbing colorant that is a cyanine-based colorant, and an organic boron-based compound includes heater units each of which are a ceramic heater arranged across an achromatic convey path of an achromatic unit, and light source units each of which include an LED array chip having a center wavelength shifted to the long-wavelength side from the peak of the first absorption band of the near-infrared ray absorbing colorant and within a predetermined wavelength range. While the paper formed with the achromatic toner image is being conveyed through the achromatic convey path at a liner speed of equal to or faster than 15 mm/sec, the achromatic toner image is heated to a predetermined temperature, and is irradiated with achromatic light from the LED, and thus achromatized efficiently at a low energy consumption.

2012-01-26

20120020708

OIL PRESSURIZED FOAM ROLL - This disclosure relates to a lubricating supply system for a fuser assembly of a printing process having a perforated sleeve, the perforated sleeve supporting a semi-porous foam roll. The perforated sleeve slips around the outer surface of a rotating shaft in order that the lubricant supplied to the hollow of the rotating shaft is diffused through the perforated sleeve and foam roll to lubricate a heated surface of the fuser assembly. A lubricant port connects a source of lubricant to the hollow portion of the rotating shaft.

2012-01-26

20120020709

IMAGE HEATING DEVICE AND PRESSING ROLLER FOR USE WITH THE IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - An image heating device for heating a toner image while nip-conveying a recording material, in a nip, on which the toner image is carried, includes a heating member; and a pressing roller, including an elastic layer, for forming the nip in contact with the heating member. The elastic layer of the pressing roller includes a thermosetting silicon rubber containing a thermal conductive filler. The thermosetting silicon rubber includes pore portions formed with resin microballoons and a pore connecting portion for connecting the pore portions. The elastic layer has a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK to 0.5 W/mK.

2012-01-26

20120020710

FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a heating rotating member that generates heat by induction heating; an induction coil that generates magnetic flux for induction heating; and a magnetic member core section forming a magnetic path and including a first core section, a second core section, a magnetic flux shielding member, and third core sections. The magnetic flux shielding member is disposed at a side of an end portion of the first core section opposite to the second core section and separated from the end portion, and disposed at a position that is separated from the outer surface of the heating rotating member by a separation distance. The third core sections are disposed at a side of the magnetic flux shielding member facing the end portion of the first core section. At least one of the third core sections is movable to a first position and to a second position.

2012-01-26

20120020711

CLEANING EDGE MODIFICATION FOR IMPROVED CLEANING BLADE LIFE AND RELIABILITY - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, the cleaning blade is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. Geometrical changes produce a blade having a plurality of slanted surfaces at the working end of the blade one at an obtuse angle, in the range of 93 degrees to 97 degrees, and a second at an acute angle that forms an offset point between the cleaning edge and the intersection of the two angles. A double cut allows for improvement in the cleaning tip stiffness using the first cut, while the second cut increases the contact width and improves the pressure distribution at the working edge.

2012-01-26

20120020712

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC MARKING SYSTEM WITH BLADE CUT ANGLES FOR LONGER BLADE LIFE - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, the cleaning blade is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. Geometrical changes produce a blade having a slanted surface that reduces cyclic fatigue stress at the blade tip and reduces blade edge wear. The blade has a sharp leading side, a trailing side, and a working end comprising a slanted surface. When the slanted surface is formed at an angle between 93 degrees to 97 degrees stiffer tips is produced and wears resulting from blade and photoreceptor surface contact is reduced.

2012-01-26

20120020713

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transporting mechanism that transports a sheet along a transport path; an image forming mechanism that forms an image on the sheet; a reading mechanism that is provided at one side of the transport path, and that reads the image; a rotary member that is provided at the other side of the transport path, and that is disposed opposite to the reading mechanism, a gap being formed between the rotary member and the reading mechanism, and having a shape allowing a size of the gap to change as the rotary member rotates; and a changing mechanism that, when the sheet passes through the gap without performing the image reading, changes the size of the gap on the basis of the rotary member shape.

2012-01-26

20120020714

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING FUSER NOISE IN A PRINTING APPARATUS - An apparatus and method that reduces fuser noise in a printing apparatus. The method can include generating a first image on a first media sheet traveling in a media path. The method can include generating a second image on a second media sheet traveling in the media path consecutive to and a first distance from the first media sheet. The method can include reducing the first distance between the first media sheet and the second media sheet to a second distance between the first media sheet and the second media sheet after generating the first image. The method can include fusing the second image to the second media sheet after reducing the first distance between the first media sheet and the second media sheet.

2012-01-26

20120020715

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus may include an image forming unit, a stacking unit, a control unit, and an alignment unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording material having a type. The stacking unit stacks the recording material on which the image formation is formed by the image forming unit. The control unit sets a predetermined number of sheets to a number that corresponds to the type of the recording material. The alignment unit aligns the recording material if the predetermined number of sheets of the recording material is stacked by the stacking unit.

2012-01-26

20120020716

PRINTING DEVICE - A printing device is provided with a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet, a sheet discharge unit having a discharge tray and configured to discharge the sheet from the printing unit to the discharge tray, and a control unit configured to control the sheet discharge unit to execute a slow discharge process between two subsequent print jobs, the slow discharge process being a sheet discharge process in which sheet discharging ability of the sheet discharge unit is impaired.

2012-01-26

20120020717

PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes an open/close lid configured to close or open a paper conveyance path of a recording paper, and a locking member configured to hold a closing state of the open/close lid by engaging with an engaging portion of the open/close lid, and to be capable to move to a position engageable with the engaging portion of the open/close lid or a position of retracting from the position engageable with the engaging portion of the open/close lid. The locking member moves to the position engageable with the engaging portion of the open/close lid at non-print time, and further moves to the position of retracting from the position engageable with the engaging portion of the open/close lid at print time.

2012-01-26

20120020718

HEATING COSMETIC TREATMENT PROCESS USING A PARTICULAR POLYESTER - Non-therapeutic process for making up and/or caring for non-fibrous human keratin materials, especially the skin, its mucous membranes or the nails, by bringing an outer surface of a piece of a particular solid cosmetic composition into contact with or close to a heating device so as to heat the piece locally in order to soften essentially only the outer surface and to lower its coefficient of dynamic friction, and then applying the outer surface of the composition thus heated to the region to be treated.

2012-01-26

20120020719

ROTARY-TYPE RETRACTABLE WRITING IMPLEMENT WITH AN ANTI-DRYING DEVICE - The present invention relates to a rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device, wherein an upper shaft and a lower shaft are coupled together such that the two shafts are rotatable in opposite directions, and a cartridge accommodated in a intermediate connection member is movable, and an open/shut module for covering a nib opens/shuts by means of the movement of the cartridge so as to provide a nib-advancing path. The rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device comprises: said cartridge equipped with a writing nib; said intermediate connection member having a slit for the upward and downward sliding of the cartridge accommodated therein; said lower shaft which is coupled to the intermediate connection member, and which has a nib hole for extending/retracting the nib therethrough; said upper shaft having a thread which enables the cartridge accommodated in the intermediate connection member to move in accordance with the integrated rotation of the intermediate connection member and the lower shaft; and a is ball shutter disposed within the lower shaft to open the nib-advancing path when the nib advances by the upward and downward sliding of the cartridge, and to shut the nib-advancing path when the nib moves backwards and to permit the nib to be accommodated in the closed space.

2012-01-26

20120020720

MAKE UP PACKAGING, FLASK REFILL AND METHOD OF SUBSTITUTING REFILL - The present invention refers to a device providing for the use of a refill applicable to make up packagings having as main characteristic the detachment of the refill by double torsional moment. This invention also provides for the moment applicable on the cap has a different strength that the moment applicable on the base. The present invention refers to, more particularly, to a make up packaging (

BUFFER MECHANISM - A buffer mechanism of the present invention is adapted for a first object and a second object. The second object is pivotable about a pivoting axial with respect to the first object. The buffer mechanism includes an abutting member and a returning device. The abutting member is firmly disposed on one of the first object and the second object. The abutting member has a first abutting surface. The returning device includes a fixation member and a movable member. The fixation member is firmly disposed on the other one of the first object and the second object. The movable member is movable with respect to the fixation member between a first position and a second position. The movable member has a second abutting surface. The second abutting surface abuts against the first abutting surface. The movable member has a potential to return to the first position.

BALL JOINT - A ball joint provided with a ball stud having a ball section at one end thereof, a socket for housing the ball section, and an elastically deformable anti-friction seat mounted between the ball section and the socket and rotatably supporting the ball section, wherein the socket and the anti-friction seat have an opening through which the stud section of the ball stud can be inserted in a loose fit condition. Bases and grooves are arranged in the inner surface of the anti-friction seat so as to extend in a direction across the peripheral edge of the opening and be alternately arranged in the circumferential direction extending along the peripheral edge of the opening. Each of the grooves is isolated from the opening by a partition wall extending between bases on opposite sides of the groove. The bases are in spherical contact with the ball section, and the grooves are filled with a lubricating agent.

2012-01-26

20120020725

FURNITURE CONNECTOR - A furniture connector includes a main body and a bolt. The bolt has a positioning portion, and the main body has a bolt hole. An expending chamber is formed to the bolt hole. At least one tooth is formed to a wall of the expending chamber. The at least one tooth serves to engage the positioning portion of the bolt while the bolt is inserted into the bolt hole. A secure connection is achieved fast and efficiently without the screws.

2012-01-26

20120020726

RETAINING MODULE AND COMPONENT ASSEMBLY HAVING THE SAME - A component assembly includes a retaining module and a component. The component has a surface and two first engaging portions disposed at the surface. The retaining module includes a pair of engaging arms and a resilient member. Each of the engaging arms has an upright elongate arm body, a second engaging portion disposed at a bottom end of the arm body, and a head portion disposed at a top end of the arm body. The second engaging portions of the engaging arms engage respectively the first engaging portions of the component so as to connect the engaging arms with the component. The engaging arms are adapted to extend through a hole in a connecting member, and are convertible between a locking stat and a release state. The resilient member biases the engaging arms into the locking state.

2012-01-26

20120020727

LOCKING PLATE SYSTEM - A locking plate system comprising a locking plate assembly and proprietary wrench is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the locking plate assembly is installed either singularly or in sets on a rigid panel (rectangular or L-shaped) and used to secure the panel to an elevator wall or door jam. In addition, rivets are used to secure the locking plate assembly, The locking plate assembly utilizes a jack post and a latch dog, each having teeth that are manipulated to lock and unlock the system. The respective angles of the interfacing teeth on both the jack post and latch dog provide the unique capability of the locking system to effectuate both the functional compressive strength of the locking plate and the ability of the mechanism to retain its locking functionality. In other embodiments, the rigid panels are included in the embodiment, with specific description given for the composition of the panels.

2012-01-26

20120020728

HINGE ASSEMBLY AND CORRESPONDING ROAD DEVICE - This hinge assembly comprises a lid with a covering web and a hinge adapted for enabling an angular movement of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the hinge including a first cam and a first counter-cam, the first cam and the first counter-cam cooperating over a first angular range. The hinge comprises an additional cam and an additional counter-cam cooperating over an additional angular range. The first angular range and the additional angular range overlap over an angular overlap range that amounts to at least 60° and over the entire range of which both the first cam and counter-cam and the additional cam and counter-cam cooperate simultaneously. The device can be used for road manholes.

2012-01-26

20120020729

COVER FOR A ROAD SYSTEM DEVICE AND CORRESPONDING ROAD SYSTEM DEVICE - A cover for a road system device provided with a frame comprises: a blocking member and a base body defining a covering surface for the road system device, extending in a cover plane, and having a housing for receiving the blocking member. The housing and the blocking member are adapted for blocking the cover relative to the frame or to a neighboring cover. The housing is adapted to maintain the blocking member relative to the base body autonomously and to oppose a movement of the blocking member in a direction extending perpendicular to the cover plane and tending to move the blocking member away from the covering surface. The invention is applicable to access manholes for underground installations.

2012-01-26

20120020730

PAVING BLOCK FORMED OF RUBBER CRUMB AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A hollow paving block comprises a substantially planar member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of the planar member is a textured surface which functions as a top of the paving block. A side wall extends along and away from a periphery of the second surface of the planar member to define a cavity in the paving block. The side wall has a bevelled edge which extends about a mouth of the cavity. At least one protrusion extends along the second surface of the planar member. The paving block is formed in part from crumb rubber and polyolefin.

2012-01-26

20120020731

Mobile Environmental Berm - A Mobile Environmental Berm assembly provides an immediately deployable offshore contain and absorb area to stop primary waterborne contaminates before these contaminates spread to secondary and tertiary areas such as shorelines, wetlands or fresh water supplies. Each Mobile Environmental Berm assembly has a plurality of Berm Arms that are made of a strong rigid material where each Berm Arm has a plurality of planar surfaces provided for vertical and/or horizontal close-coupled stacking with other surfaces such as those on other Berm Arms, on relatively horizontal or vertical surfaces or for connection to other accessories. Filter nets attach to the Mobile Environmental Berm assembly to allow for water column filtering below or adjacent to a floating or submerged Mobile Environmental Berm. Filter nets vary in size according to the application for filtering macro-, micro or nanoscopic particles such as oil, chemical or biological contaminates.

2012-01-26

20120020732

Method and apparatus for absorptive boom - Method and apparatus for a low floating boom curtain constructed of absorptive material made for use in waters polluted by oil, fuel, diesel fuel, chemicals such as dispersants or other petroleum based contaminants or the like wherein the boom curtain is comprised of an upper and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is the buoyant portion and the lower portion is a skirt portion, wherein the skirt portion has a weighted portion on the bottom of the skirt portion so that together they form an absorptive boom curtain for removing oil from oil containing waters. The upper portion, which provides the main flotation for the device, has an internal float/foam member which provides sufficient flotation and which foam member is wrapped in a single or double layer of absorptive material and wherein the entire device is made of and or covered by absorptive material. The boom curtain has a strap running longitudinally along it for interconnecting the individual curtain units wherein the strap may also have attachment rings and interconnecting rings for connecting individual units of the device so as to form a longer string of boom. The weighted portion may be weighted by any suitable material, however, it is believed that sand will be the weight of choice since it is also readily available.

2012-01-26

20120020733

Stationary Boom Support System - A containment boom system for use in a liquid body includes a base support structure and a containment boom. An elongated rod has a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end. The proximal end is hingedly attached to the base support structure and extends laterally therefrom. A buoy is coupled to the containment boom and is coupled to the distal end of the elongated rod. The buoy has sufficient buoyancy so as to remain floating on the liquid body while supporting the elongated rod.

2012-01-26

20120020734

Environmentally safe hydro-electric pipeline and water delivery system - “The Environmentally Safe Hydro-Electric Pipeline And Water Delivery System” will provide over one million gallons of fresh water per day to areas and communities in desperate need of clean fresh water. This will be accomplished with a very small environmental footprint. This pipeline will be self powered by use of gravity and siphon principals. There will be enough flow and water pressure left over to power many water turbine electric generators, which may be located anywhere along the pipeline, where the power can be sold.

2012-01-26

20120020735

Telescopic module for providing variable reef configuration, size, and orientation - An open chamber of predetermined size, and shape is positioned in a predetermined location within the confines of a pool bed so as to contain interconnected clusters of interconnected telescopic modules which occupy the entire chamber area. Each of the telescopic module is independently extended and retracted in length vertically by the increase or decrease of the volume of water contained within a bellows interconnected within each telescopic module, thereby establishing in the totality of the population of selected telescopic modules, a specific reef size, shape, and orientation. When kinetic-energy is introduced upstream from a source, the kinetic-energy within the water passes over the predetermined shape, size, and oriented reef, and generates a wave having specific features resulting from the properties of the specific reef configured.

2012-01-26

20120020736

METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF DEGRADED AREAS USING GENETICALLY MODIFIED PLANT SPECIES - The present invention relates to the search for and choice of forest plants adapted to severe edaphological conditions in soils contaminated by pollutants, which plants are capable of surviving in most parts of the world and cannot enter the trophic chain. The genetic transformation thereof considerably enhances the metal absorption rate and storage capacity thereof and also makes it easier for said absorption to cover the majority of pollutants or harmful substances.

2012-01-26

20120020737

COASTAL OIL RECOVERY SYSTEM - A coastal oil recovery system and method for clean up of land based contamination with a containment device having a reverse funnel shaped top hood, rigidly attached to vertical walled sides, a plurality of ground screws to pull the containment device into the soil, a plurality of water jets to fill the containment device and float oil from contaminated soil and vegetation upward into the top hood for extraction by discharge hoses. Due to the shape of the top hood, the depth of the floating oil will increase as it reaches the top of the top hood, facilitating extraction.

2012-01-26

20120020738

Systems and Apparatus for Protecting Subsurface Conduit and Methods of Making and Using the Same - Systems and apparatuses protect subsurface conduit. Specifically, the systems and apparatuses protect subsurface conduit by disposing one or more rigid caps over a length of the subsurface conduit under a roadway for decreasing and/or eliminating impacts and/or damage to the subsurface conduit caused by automobiles and other vehicles utilizing the roadway. Methods of making and using the same are further provided.

Structural ice composite body with thermal conditioning capability - The invention discloses an ice composite body with a layer of water close to its freezing point within the body's armor shell at its base, with a pressurizing system for the water which maintains an upward pressure on the ice core at the set level needed to structurally support any burden resting on the top part of the shell, the top part of the shell & the ice core. The ice core has a separate non structural layer at its lowest level & a separate system of melting & freezing this layer of the ice core for thermal conditioning purposes, while using the pressurizing system to maintain hydrostatic and litho-static balance & thus maintain structural integrity. The pressurization system results in a more reliable structural support system for the top part of the shell particularly for dealing with thermal cycling & in warmer climates. The melting & freezing of the thermal conditioning ice layer can be used to shift air-conditioning demand from daytime peak to nighttime off-peak, without affecting the structural support system for the top section of the armor shell used to support equipment, traffic, buildings or for other purposes involving a load, or the capacity of the ice body to provide heating using the heat from the refrigeration system for the structural ice core.

2012-01-26

20120020742

Underwater Reinforced Concrete Silo for Oil Drilling and Production Applications - Concrete silo for offshore drilling and production operations includes a reinforced concrete foundation secured at the seabed by steel piles and steel anchors embedded into the seabed. An exterior vertical reinforced concrete wall is supported by the foundation. An interior vertical reinforced concrete wall is supported by the foundation and houses a central cell. A series of radial shear walls extend between the exterior concrete wall and the interior concrete wall to form a series of perimeter cells. A roof and series of horizontally extending service platforms are supported off of the outer concrete wall and the interior concrete wall. A series of vertical well casings extend through the concrete foundation and down into the seabed for drilling operations.

ROCK ANCHOR - The invention provides a compact apparatus for providing a substantially pressure-tight connection between a source of a plastics component and an opening of an inner channel of a rock bolt wherein the apparatus comprises a central block moveable to be aligned with the rock bolt, a supply pipe slidably arranged in the central block, a first force transmitter, a gripper for attaching the central block to the rock bolt, a gripper drive slidably mounted on the central block and arranged to operate the gripper, and a second force transmitter wherein the first force transmitter is arranged to press the supply pipe onto the opening of the inner channel of the rock bolt; wherein the gripper is mounted on the central block; and wherein the second force transmitter is arranged to operate the gripper drive to force the gripper to clamp the central block onto the rock bolt.

2012-01-26

20120020745

TUBULAR SOCK MODULE WITH INTEGRATED GEOGRID EXTENSIONS FOR CONSTRUCTING STABILIZED-EARTH WALLS AND SLOPES - A self-supporting earth facing module has a tubular sock to be filled with compost or fill material and a geogrid sheet which wraps around the circumference of the tubular sock with upper and lower extensions extending lengthwise to one side of the sock. The geogrid sheet is joined by a high-strength seam to the circumference of the sock. The module forms an integrated unit that can be used to form sequenced horizontal earth layers and serve as facing for a geosynthetically stabilized earth wall or slope. The sock may be vegetation-supportive and have built-in connectable irrigation tubing. The modules are installed in consecutive vertical lifts with a granular interlock zone to provide a connection medium for tying adjacent modules to each other and to the reinforced soil zone, and which may include connection to supplemental geogrids that extend the width of the reinforced zone for taller slopes and walls.